Black Hills State University Football: A Storied History

Black Hills State University (BHSU), home of the Yellow Jackets, boasts a rich athletic tradition. As a member of the NCAA Division II and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), BHSU provides a competitive environment for its student-athletes. This article delves into the history of the BHSU football program, highlighting its rivalries, conference affiliations, and journey to NCAA Division II status.

The Yellow Jackets: An Overview

The Black Hills State Yellow Jackets represent the athletic teams of Black Hills State University. With 14 varsity teams, including 4 men's, 8 women's, and 2 co-ed teams, BHSU offers a diverse range of athletic opportunities. The Yellow Jackets compete in the RMAC, except for rodeo, which is part of the NIRA. Lyle Hare Stadium serves as the home field for the football team, while the Donald E. Young Center/Young Center Arena hosts the basketball team.

The West River Rivalry: A Historic Clash

The most prominent rivalry for Black Hills State is undoubtedly the one with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) Hardrockers. This rivalry is fueled by the close proximity of the two schools, separated by less than 50 miles, and the contrasting academic focus, with BHSU emphasizing liberal arts and SDSM&T focusing on engineering.

The football rivalry between BHSU and SDSM&T stands as the second most frequently played series in the United States, trailing only the Harvard-Yale matchup. Moreover, it holds the distinction of being the oldest football series west of the Mississippi River. The two teams traditionally conclude each season with a game against each other. In some seasons, they may even meet twice, with the later game determining the winner of the Homestake Trophy, named in honor of a prominent mine in the Black Hills region.

On October 4, 2025, South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State clashed in the 140th edition of the Black Hills Brawl, a testament to the enduring legacy of this gridiron rivalry. The Hardrockers were shut out by their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rivals, with a final score of 18-0.

Read also: Funding for Black Students

Transition to NCAA Division II

In July 2010, Black Hills State University received the official confirmation of its acceptance into NCAA Division II. This transition was a meticulously planned multi-year process that included a two-year candidacy period, followed by a one-year provisional season. During this provisional year, BHSU was not eligible to participate in NCAA postseason competitions. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) extended an invitation for Black Hills State University to be considered for membership, marking a significant step forward for the university's athletic program.

Conference Standings: A Snapshot of Division II Football (2025)

To provide context for Black Hills State's competitive landscape, here's a glimpse of the NCAA Division II conference standings as of 2025:

Conference Carolinas

North Greenville (4-0 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
UNC Pembroke (3-1 Conf, 6-2 Overall)
Barton (2-1 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Chowan (1-2 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Ferrum (1-2 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Erskine (1-1 Conf, 1-6 Overall)
Shorter (0-4 Conf, 1-7 Overall)

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

Virginia Union (5-0 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Fayetteville State (4-0 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Johnson C Smith (4-1 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Virginia State (3-2 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Winston-Salem (3-3 Conf, 4-4 Overall)
Bluefield State University (2-2 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Livingstone (2-3 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Shaw (2-3 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Bowie State (1-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Elizabeth City State (1-4 Conf, 1-6 Overall)
Lincoln (PA) (0-5 Conf, 0-7 Overall)

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)

Ferris State (3-0 Conf, 7-0 Overall)
Saginaw Valley State (3-0 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Michigan Tech (2-1 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Grand Valley State (2-1 Conf, 4-2 Overall)
Davenport (2-2 Conf, 3-3 Overall)
Northern Michigan (1-3 Conf, 1-6 Overall)
Roosevelt (0-3 Conf, 1-5 Overall)
Wayne State (MI) (0-3 Conf, 0-7 Overall)

Great American Conference

Harding University (7-0 Conf, 7-0 Overall)
Southern Arkansas (6-1 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
East Central (OK) (5-2 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Henderson State (5-2 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Arkansas Tech (4-3 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Ouachita Baptist (4-3 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Southwestern Oklahoma State (3-4 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Southeastern Oklahoma State (3-4 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Oklahoma Baptist (2-5 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Arkansas-Monticello (2-5 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Southern Nazarene (1-6 Conf, 1-6 Overall)
Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-7 Conf, 0-7 Overall)

Great Lakes Valley Conference

Indianapolis (5-0 Conf, 7-1 Overall)
Truman State (3-1 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Upper Iowa (3-1 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
McKendree (3-1 Conf, 3-3 Overall)
Quincy (2-2 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Southwest Baptist (2-3 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Missouri S&T (1-3 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Lincoln (MO) (0-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
William Jewell (0-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)

Great Midwest Athletic Conference

Findlay (5-0 Conf, 7-0 Overall)
Ashland (5-0 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Northwood (MI) (4-1 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Tiffin (4-1 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Walsh (3-2 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Ohio Dominican (2-3 Conf, 3-3 Overall)
Hillsdale (1-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Lake Erie (1-4 Conf, 1-6 Overall)
Kentucky Wesleyan (0-5 Conf, 0-7 Overall)
Thomas More College (0-5 Conf, 0-7 Overall)

Gulf South Conference

West Florida (1-0 Conf, 7-0 Overall)
Delta State (0-0 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Valdosta State (0-0 Conf, 2-4 Overall)
West Alabama (0-1 Conf, 5-1 Overall)

Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA)

Northwest Missouri State (5-0 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Pittsburg State (5-1 Conf, 6-2 Overall)
Central Oklahoma (4-2 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Central Missouri (3-2 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Fort Hays State (3-3 Conf, 4-4 Overall)
Nebraska-Kearney (3-3 Conf, 5-3 Overall)
Emporia State (2-3 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Missouri Southern State (1-4 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Washburn (1-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Missouri Western (0-5 Conf, 1-6 Overall)

Mountain East Conference

Frostburg State (4-1 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
University Of Charleston (WV) (3-1 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Glenville State (3-1 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Wheeling (3-1 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
West Virginia State (3-2 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
West Liberty (2-2 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Fairmont State (1-3 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Concord (1-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
West Virginia Wesleyan (0-5 Conf, 0-8 Overall)

Northeast-10 Conference

Assumption (5-0 Conf, 5-1 Overall)
St. Anselm (5-1 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Bentley (3-1 Conf, 3-3 Overall)
Franklin Pierce (3-2 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Post University (2-3 Conf, 3-3 Overall)
Southern Connecticut State (1-3 Conf, 1-5 Overall)
Pace (1-5 Conf, 1-7 Overall)
American International (0-5 Conf, 0-6 Overall)

Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)

Augustana University (SD) (6-0 Conf, 7-0 Overall)
Minnesota Duluth (6-1 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Minnesota State Mankato (5-1 Conf, 6-1 Overall)
Northern State (5-2 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Minnesota State Moorhead (4-2 Conf, 5-2 Overall)
Sioux Falls (3-3 Conf, 4-3 Overall)
Wayne State (NE) (3-3 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Winona State (3-4 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Minot State (2-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
University of Mary (2-4 Conf, 3-4 Overall)
Bemidji State (2-4 Conf, 2-5 Overall)
Jamestown (1-5 Conf, 1-5 Overall)
Concordia-St. Paul (0-6 Conf, 0-7 Overall)

Read also: The Black List Internship

Read also: NCAA Football and Black Coaches

tags: #black #hills #state #university #football #history